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National Implementation of Agenda 21
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Information Provided by the Government of Sri Lanka to the
United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs
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This country profile has been provided by:
Name of Ministry/Office: Ministry of Forestry & Environment
Date: 20 November 1997
Submitted by: (Ms) C. Amerasekare Additional Secretary Ministry of Forestry & Environment
Mailing address: Ministry of Forestry & Environment No. 6 Unity Plaza Colombo 04, Sri Lanka
Telephone: 588274
Telefax:
E-mail: Note from the Secretariat: An effort has been made to present all country profiles within a common format, with an equal number of pages. However, where Governments have not provided information for the tables appended to Chapters 4 and 17, those tables have been omitted entirely in order to reduce the overall length of the profile and save paper. Consequently, there may be some minor inconsistencies among the formats of the different country profiles. All statistics are rendered as provided by the respective Governments.
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| APELL | Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level |
| CFC | chlorofluorocarbon |
| CGIAR | Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research |
| CILSS | Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel |
| EEZ | exclusive economic zone |
| ECA | Economic Commission for Africa |
| ECE | Economic Commission for Europe |
| ECLAC | Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean |
| ELCI | Environmental Liaison Centre International |
| EMINWA | environmentally sound management of inland water |
| ESCAP | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
| ESCWA | Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |
| FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
| GATT | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade |
| GAW | Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) |
| GEF | Global Environment Facility |
| GEMS | Global Environmental Monitoring System (UNEP) |
| GEMS/WATER | Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
| GESAMP | Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution |
| GIPME | Global Investigation of Pollution in Marine Environment (UNESCO) |
| GIS | Geographical Information System |
| GLOBE | Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment |
| GOS | Global Observing System (WMO/WWW) |
| GRID | Global Resource Information Database |
| GSP | generalized system of preferences |
| HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
| IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
| IAP-WASAD | International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural Development |
| IARC | International Agency for Research on Cancer |
| IBSRAM | International Board of Soil Resources and Management |
| ICCA | International Council of Chemical Associations |
| ICES | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea |
| ICPIC | International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House |
| ICSC | International Civil Service Commission |
| ICSU | International Council of Scientific Unions |
| IEEA | Integrated environmental and economic accounting |
| IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
| IGADD | Intergovernmental Authority for Drought and Development |
| IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) |
| IGBP/START | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training |
| ILO | International Labour Organisation |
| IMF | International Monetary Fund |
| IMO | International Maritime Organization |
| INFOTERRA | International Environment Information system (UNEP) |
| IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission |
| IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |
| IPCS | International Programme on Chemical Safety |
| IPM | integrated pest management |
| IRPTC | International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
| ITC | International Tin Council |
| ITTO | International Tropical Timber Organization |
| IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| MARPOL | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships |
| OECD | Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development |
| PGRFA | plant genetic resources for agriculture |
| PIC | prior informed consent procedure |
| SADCC | South African Development Co-ordination Conference |
| SARD | sustainable agriculture and rural development |
| UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
| UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
| UNDRO | Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator |
| UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
| UNFPA | United Nations Population Fund |
| UNICEF | United Nations Children's Fund |
| UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
| UNU | United Nations University |
| WCP | World Climate Programme (WMO/UNEP/ICSU/UNESCO) |
| WFC | World Food Council |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
| WWF | World Wide Fund for Nature (also called World Wildlife Fund) |
| WWW | World Weather Watch (WMO) |
Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean with a land area of 25,000 square miles and a population of 18.3 million. Topographically the island consists of a south central mountainous region which rises to an elevation of 2,502m and is surrounded by broad lowland plains at an elevation of 0-75 m above sea level. From the mountainous regions nine major rivers and 94 other rivers flow across the lowlands into the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka, despite its small size, has a rich biodiversity distributed within a wide range of ecosystems,ranging from rainforests to grasslands, rivers, wetlands and freshwater bodies and coastal and marine ecosystems. In terms of plant species diversity there are over 3,800 species of flowering plants of which 23 percent are endemic. Similarly, a rich faunal diversity exists with high endeminism. Available information shows that Sri Lanka's biodiversity per unit of land area is among the highest in South Asia.
Sri Lanka inherits a culture and a lifestyle friendly to the environment. The legislative framework for the protection of the environment was in place to a large extent in Sri Lanka even before independence. Since independence, Sri Lanka has been implementing national strategies and plans to achieve sustainable economic growth with equity and social development. These programmes for economic and human resources development enabled Sri Lanka to achieve a comparatively high quality of life at low per capita income levels. The national policy to solve the growing problems of poverty and unemployment, compounded by population pressures, was to achieve a faster growth rate through diversification of agriculture as well as developing industry.
In the recent past, the ability of the Government to carry out development activities in order to accelerate economic growth and improve the distribution of income has been severely constrained by its involvement in unavoidable defence and security operations in the North and East of the country. The Government's priority is to restore peace. However, the Government has given assurance that the priority attached to development will not be comprised on this account.
The past few decades have seen a transformation in Sri Lanka from a traditional agricultural based rural economy with sustainable lifestyles to a more diversified and commercialized economy trying to move away from total dependence on agriculture to solve the growing problems of unemployment and poverty. Successive Governments allocated more and more resources for the construction of dams and irrigation works; they expanded the area under cultivation, thus depleting forests; established industries; created infrastructure, and expanded urban centres to achieve a rapid economic growth rate to alleviate poverty. These development programmes and pressures of an increasing population resulted in the degradation and depletion of natural resources. Although the legislative framework for the protection of the environment, such as the Forestry Ordinance, the Flora & Fauna Act, the Fisheries Act and Coast Conservation Act were in place, the institutional capacity for their implementation was inadequate and little attention had been given to the environment in the implementation of development programmes. Continuing poverty accelerated the rate of environmental degradation. Problems associated with economic activities such as land degradation and deforestation, air and water pollution, health hazards, loss of biodiversity and climatic changes emerged and, recognizing these, the Government passed a National Environment Act in 1982. To strengthen the institutional capacity to implement laws and regulations a regulating body called the Central Environment Authority was established. A separate Ministry for environment was also established. Thus, in the 1980s, the Government began to pay more attention to the environment.
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| With the Rio Summit, the Government of Sri Lanka began to
follow a more focused and a concerted policy towards sustainable
development. During the medium term 1996-2000, the Government will
further pursue the objectives of accelerating economic
growth, while ensuring equity and a higher quality of life
particularly for the poor by following a strategy which has the
following main features.
1. Market-friendly economic policies and the private sector to be the engine of growth.
2. Raising overall investment by creating a conducive policy environment, peace and stability.
3. Government's role to be supportive of the private sector by creating infrastructure and implementing economic reforms.
4. Development of ports, shipping and financial and capital markets to be major regional service centre.
5. Policy measures to make industry and agriculture internationally competitive.
6. Promotion of exports through appropriate tax, tariff, interest and credit policies.
7. Welfare programmes to mobilize the resources of the poor for the development process.
8. Private investments in manufacture and infra-structure development.
A National Environment Action Plan was developed to provide the policy framework for sustainable development. A participatory approach was followed in preparing this policy. In addition, a Forestry Master Plan to determine land use and promote forestry development as well as a Coastal Zone Management Plan were developed. A National Biodiversity Action Plan has been prepared with World Bank assistance to protect and manage biodiversity. In order to integrate environment concerns into development plans the National Planning Department has introduced environment screening of all public sector investment projects. Environment Impact Assessment [EIA] has been made statutory for all prescribed projects and the EIA procedures are being constantly reviewed and updated . Sectoral EIA guidelines are being finalized for a number of sectors. Environment Protection Licensing [EPL] Scheme is compulsory for all projects. The issue of EPL has been decentralized.
Sri Lanka has signed and ratified the UNCED agreements and conventions. The Ministry of Forestry and Environment continues the implementation of obligations under these international conventions on the environment, such as the Montreal Protocol, Climate Change Convention, Basel Convention and the Biodiversity Convention.
In formulating environment policy and in implementing action plans to meet the obligations under international conventions, the Ministry of Environment uses interagency committees representative of all development Ministries/Agencies, the private sector and the NGO sector. The greening of national accounts is accepted as a desirable goal to be achieved. Cross country surveys have shown that there is a positive relationship between poverty and environment degradation. The poor are both agents and victims of environment damage. Growth and environment are two sides of the same coin. Therefore, it is imperative for a developing country like Sri Lanka with a low per-capita income and a high unemployment rate, to achieve a high rate of economic growth to improve the standard of living of the poor to minimize environmental degradation stemming from poverty. The main constraints to achieving sustainable development are the inadequacy of finances and technology and a supportive system of global trade and international cooperation. Twenty percent of the export earnings of Sri Lanka are derived from agriculture exports consisting mainly of tea, rubber and coconut. Volatile commodity prices have an adverse impact on export earnings and the economy. The market restrictions on garment exports etc., restrict the growth of Sri Lanka's industry and exports. These limitations to Sri Lanka's ability to generate export earnings and its physical limitations to the expansion of agriculture, make it extremely difficult to mobilise domestic resources for development. A more equitable trading system supportive of sustainable development is needed. In the context of limited domestic resources, enhanced international cooperation is vital for achieving the goal of sustainable development. Since economic development is essential for the prevention of environmental degradation, trade and the transfer of funds and technology should not be subjected to environment conditionalities.
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1. Name of Key National Sustainable Development Coordination Mechanism(s)/Council(s). 1.1 Ministerial Sub-committee on Environment 1.2 Inter Agency Committees
Contact point (Name, Title, Office): Mr. K.A.S. Gunasekare, Secretary, Ministry of Forestry & Environment Telephone: 94-1-868048 Fax: 94-1-502566 e-mail: Mailing address: Ministry of Forestry & Environment, Sampathpaya, Rajamalwatte, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka
2. Membership/Composition/Chairperson: 2a. List of ministries and agencies involved: 2.1 Ministerial Sub-committee; H.E. the President (Chairman) Members: Minister of Environment; Minister of Industries; Minister of Plan Implementation; Minister of Agriculture Development; Minister of Tourism; Minister of Cultural Affairs; Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; Minister of Science and Technology; Chairman, Board of Investments; Director General National Planning.
2.2 Secretary, Ministry of Forestry and Environment (Chairman) Members: Secretary, Ministry of Industries; Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Development; Secretary, Ministry of/Fisheries & Aquatic Resources; Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology; Secreary, Ministry of Education & Higher Education; Secretary, Ministry of Trade & Commerce; Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration; Home Affairs & Plantation Industries; Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Secreary Ministry of Cultural Affairs; Secretary, Ministry of Health & Indigenous Medicines; Director General, National Planning; Director General Fiscal Policy; Director of Census and Statistics; Director General Health and Indigenous Medicines; Director General, Natural Resources Energy & Science Authority; Director General, Natural Aquatic Resources Agency; Director, Fisheries; Director General, CISIR; Conservator of Forests; Chairman, CEA; Director, Wild Life; Officials from Provincial Authorities nominated by Chief Secretaries of Provinces; Representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry; NGO representatives; Members of Academia; Representatives from the Police Department; Attorney General's Department; Import Control Department and Research Organizations.
2b. Names of para-statal bodies and institutions involved, as well as participating of academic and private sector bodies: As in 2a.
2c. Names of non-governmental organizations involved: LIFE; IUCN (Local Chapter); Environment Foundation; Mihikatha Foundation, Journalists Forum, March for Conservation (over 130 NGOs).
3. Mandate role of above mechanism/council: The Ministerial Sub-committee gives national policy guidelines. The Inter-agency Committees coordinate and direct the implementation of policy and programmes by relevant ministries and agencies and address issues related to a critical environmental area assigned to each Committee. These areas include international Conventions on Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Montreal Protocol; EIA; Biodiversity, Economic Incentives, Environment Legislation. The Inter-Agency Committees take coordinated action, undertake studies and provide environmental advocacy.
Submitted by Name: Mr. K.A.S. Gunasekera Title: Secretary Signature: Signed. Ministry/Office: Ministry of Forestry & Environment Telephone: 94-1-868048 Fax: 94-1-502566
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC
POLICIES (with special emphasis on TRADE)
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Sri Lanka is conscious of the
importance of international cooperation for sustainable
development.
There is an urgent need to provide additional resources from the
international community in a predictable and an assured
manner to support the efforts of developing countries. The ODA
target for aid of 0.7 percent of developed countries GNP
must be reached if the commitments made by the developing countries
at the Rio Summit are to be met. These resources
must be made available commensurate with the needs and priorities
of developing countries. Private sector capital inflows
have become important to meet investment needs. Several measures
were taken to encourage private foreign investment
and to give a fillip to local manufacturers and exporters.
Implementation of a policy of encouragement of the private
sector and discouragement of the public sector from commercial and
business oriented activities, and further liberalization
of the economic process, were directed towards encouraging foreign
private investment. Several tax measures were
introduced to invigorate the capital market. These included
extension of tax holidays, turn-over tax exemptions and duty-free
import facilities on projects; specific imports were offered for
companies in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Substantial resources were allocated for the development of
infrastructure.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Training and
equipment provided by UNDP and USAID to private sector
industry enhances its capacity and competitiveness. The Public
Enterprise Reform Commission is mandated to advise the
Government on reforming the public sector, upgrading production and
services with access to international markets,
acquisition of new technology and expertise, and developing and
broad-basing the capital market. The Government has
taken steps to invite private sector investment in selected new
ventures on a BOD/BOT basis. The maximum tariff on
imports has been brought down to 50%. The Third Tariff Commission
has been appointed to further study the tariff
structure to enhance value added exports.
3. Major Groups: Special emphasis is given to children in
the area of human resource development. A national plan of
action for children has been formulated. Legislation is in place to
prohibit child labour in industry. Women's groups are
encouraged and assisted with training and credit under the banking
system and the Samurdhi programmes. A Women's
Charter has been formulated and approved by the Cabinet. The
Children's Secretariat and the Ministry of Women's
Affairs promote interest in the work of these groups. Compulsory
schooling has been introduced.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: Sri Lanka is
committed to the ideals of SAARC and expects to phase out
quantitative restrictions in respect of all imports, once the
balance of payments position improves.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 3: COMBATING POVERTY
Focus of national strategy
Sri Lanka reaffirms the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 which
emphasize the need to eradicate poverty and reduce
disparities in living standards to achieve sustainable development.
Appropriate domestic economic policies and special
interventions are needed to combat poverty. A favourable
international economic environment, particularly favourable
terms of trade, debt relief, access to markets and enhanced
international cooperation to provide technical assistance and
financing, as well as environmentally sound technology, will
strengthen the domestic effort and pave the way to
sustainable development.
Highlight activities aimed at the poor and linkages to the
environment
Sri Lanka has a three-pronged strategy for combatting poverty:
1. Achieving economic growth and development to create employment
and improve the standard of living;
2. Achieving human development through the provision of improved
health and education services, meeting basic
needs, protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring human rights;
3. Direct interventions aimed at those who have not benefitted
from growth-related policies [low income groups].
Such interventions are to ensure employment and empower the
poor through building up their assets by providing
credit and training.
These strategies are fully integrated with the development plans
and programmes at the national and provincial level; the
last of the above points is implemented through the Samurdhi
Programme. The programmes are implemented through the
Janasaviya Trust Fund, the School Midday Meal Programme and the
Samurdhi Naya Niyamake (Credit Scheme), started
in June 1996, and the National Development Trust Fund (NDTF).
The Samurdhi Programme, which commenced in June 1995, was the major
strategy of State intervention to combat
poverty among the marginalized groups. The implementation is
twofold: income supplement (programme), and social
and economy infrastructure development, with increasing employment
opportunities. The Programme covers
1.5 million families. 182,000 families benefitted from the dry
rations programme in the North and East. Nearly 50% of
the population were covered under this Programme. Free health and
education are provided to all.
The Samurdhi Naya Niyamake Scheme was introduced mainly with a view
to assist small- and medium-scale businesses.
The loans are provided at a low interest rate for income-generating
activities. Funds are provided under the Samurdhi
Economic Infrastructure development programmes for community
infrastructure projects. Skills development
programmes are carried out for the Samurdhi beneficiaries and an
insurance scheme has been introduced to encourage
savings. The "Lottery Fund" has been introduced to generate funds
for the Samurdhi Programmes.
These programmes are directed to create alternative employment and
to avoid over-exploitation of resources.
Self-employment and employment opportunities provided through
community participation in infrastructure development
will alleviate poverty, which is one of the main causes of
deforestation, land degradation and over-exploitation of other
natural resources in Sri Lanka.
In addition to direct intervention, a number of integrated rural
development programmes, and rural and urban water
supply and sanitation projects are being implemented. Human
settlements or housing programmes are implemented with
foreign assistance, especially for plantation labour.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Finance Ministry,
National Planning Department, and the Ministry of Youth
Affairs (the Samurdhi Authority), formulate policy to be approved
by the Cabinet. State banks and credit institutions
decide on credit eligibility. Individual beneficiaries and NGO
Groups are involved in taking investment decisions.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Janasaviya and the
National Development Trust Fund implement skills
development programmes to assist the poor in obtaining
self-employment.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
NB: Developed countries, where domestic poverty alleviation is not
a major concern may wish to briefly describe their
position regarding global poverty alleviation.
| Latest 199_ | |||||
| Unemployment (%) | |||||
| Population living in absolute poverty | |||||
| Public spending on social sector % | |||||
| Other data
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 4: CHANGING CONSUMPTION
PATTERNS
National policy objectives/focus
The experience of over-consumption and unsustainable lifestyles in
the developed countries has brought focus to the
adverse impact of unsustainable patterns of consumption and
production on the environment. Sri Lanka, being a poor
country does not, as yet, experiment in extravagant lifestyles on
a significant scale. However, with expanding trade and
globalization and growth of communication, patterns of demand for
consumer goods are being altered.
The Government has pursued tariff policies which encourage
moderation in the demand for luxury items and the adoption
of lifestyles and consumption patterns which do not have a
deleterious impact on the environment. Environment standards
are enforced by the Central Environment Authority (CEA) to abate
pollution of air and water. The CEA also conducted
training workshops and awareness programmes and projects to
encourage recycling of wastes, and the adoption of cleaner
technologies.
National targets
The Government plans to switch to using unleaded petrol in the
transport sector. Under the World Bank-funded MEIP, it
is planned to set up common effluent treatment plants in the main
industrial centres. The certification of industrial
products which meet the prescribed standards of
environment-friendly production packaging and waste disposal,
remain
desirable goals.
The process of development and increase in the number of households
is increasing the consumption of energy. The
development of alternative sources of energy is given priority.
The consumption patterns of the poor should be considered
as survival consumption. Moreover, it should be emphasized that
the consumption of energy by an individual in South
Asia is about one-twentieth that of a person in a developed
economy. Air pollution is also extremely low when compared
to the developed countries. However, Government policy and its
target are to maintain sustainable consumption patterns.
In pursuance of this, the import of refrigerators using
ozone-depleting substances has been banned.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Latest 199_ | |||||
| GDP per capita (current US$) | |||||
| Real GDP growth (%) | |||||
| Annual energy consumption per capita (Kg. of oil equivalent per capita) | |||||
| Motor vehicles in use per 1000 inhabitants | |||||
| Other data
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 5: DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS AND
SUSTAINABILITY
It is estimated that, given the likely changes in fertility,
mortality and migration, the population of Sri Lanka will
increase to 19.3 in the year 2001. The number of elderly will
increase and the number of reproductive females will also
increase. Therefore, greater programme efforts are needed,
particularly in view of the high density of population per
acre of land. The Government policy is to reach replacement level
fertility, an average of 2 children per woman in the
reproductive ages, by the year 2000.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Sri Lanka reached an
advanced phase of demographic transition in a comparatively short
period
and at a relatively low per capita income level. The
population grew at an annual rate of 1.3 percent during the period
1990-1995 and 1.1 percent in 1996. The mid-year population is
estimated at 18.3 million for 1996. The fertility rate
declined from 5.3 during 1952-1954 to 2.6 during 1985-1987. The
pace of decline in the 1980s has been rapid due
mainly to the use of contraceptives. Strong Government commitment
and support from the Family Planning Program as
well as donor support have also contributed to this success. The
mortality rate remained steady at 6 per thousand during
the 1980s. Infant mortality declined by 37 percent, due to
increased health care and the success of the immunization
programme. Life expectancy increased and was estimated to be 72.5
years in 1991. The maternal mortality rate declined
to 5 out of every 10,000 live births.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Health Council,
chaired by the Prime Minister, is the highest policy-making body on
the subject of population. The National Coordinating Council on
Population (NCCP), chaired by the
Secretary, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, coordinates
and monitors the national population programme.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The National Health
Bureau of the Health Ministry is responsible for the
service delivery programme and uses non-governmental agencies in
family planning activities. Training and awareness
creation are carried out in a variety of ways.
3. Major Groups: NGOs have been given financial assistance
for family planning activities.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: To sustain the
momentum that has been built up and to achieve the
demographic goal of replacement level fertility by the end of this
decade, Sri Lanka will need continued international
support in specific areas such as contraceptive supplies,
education, training, monitoring and supervision of the
programme.
| Latest 199_ | ||||
| Population (Thousands) mid-year estimates | ||||
| Annual rate of increase (1990-1993) | ||||
| Surface area (Km2) | ||||
| Population density (people/Km2) | ||||
| Other data
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AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING
HUMAN HEALTH
New diseases such as HIV/AIDS have placed further stress on the
meagre resources available for the health programs.
The incidence of communicable diseases has expanded significantly.
In view of the emerging need for strengthening
preventive health care, the Government placed emphasis on the
control of communicable diseases, improvement of
maternal and child health care and nutritional levels as well as on
the promotion of health education. Also, progress has
been made in the eradication of polio: 96% of the population were
vaccinated in 1996. A second medium-term plan has
been developed to control STD/HIV/AIDS. Also, a national "danger"
control programme and mosquito control
programme have been launched. However, despite these measures, the
incidence of malaria increased by 29% in 1996.
With the increase in demand for health service and the public
sector resource constraints, there is a compelling need to
promote private sector health care.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Sri Lanka has followed a policy
of investing in human capital for the last four decades. Due to
the
interrelationship between the different aspects of education,
health, nutrition and other social services, investment in each
generates benefits in the others. In Sri Lanka, a network of basic
education and health services has covered the entire
country. The maintenance of this network over a 50-year period has
generated inter-generational benefits. Consequently,
although Government expenditure declined from 9.9% of GDP in the
1960s, to 6.4% in the 1980s, many social indicators
continued to improve; for example, life expectancy increased to 72
years, and infant mortality and maternal mortality
declined. But morbidity levels are still high. In the context of
existing resources, constraints in meeting the increasing
demand for preventive health care and attractive health facilities
are the major challenges faced in regard to the health
sector.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Health Council,
chaired by the Prime Minister, is the policy-making body.
The Secretary, Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, is
responsible for the implementation of programmes;
directors of special programmes implement them under the
supervision of the Secretary of Health.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: There is a need to
improve pre-service training and provide refresher training
after graduation, to improve the quality of service, and upgrading
of skills in all categories of health service. A project
funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will provide
training to indigenous medical practitioners.
3. Major Groups: NGOs are involved in health education and
in the implementation of family planning programmes.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: International
co-operation is vital bilaterally and between specialized agencies,
for upgrading skills, services and in the exchange of information,
as well as in the maintenance of
standards.
| Latest 199_ | ||||
| Life expectancy at birth Male Female | ||||
| Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | ||||
| Maternal mortality rate (per 100000 live births) | ||||
| Access to safe drinking water (% of population) | ||||
| Access to sanitation services (% of population) | ||||
| Other data | ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 7: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN
SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT
The total number of housing units in the country was estimated at
3.9 million in 1996. The average annual demand for
new housing units in the country in the same year was estimated at
70,000, with a higher rate of increase in the urban
sector. In addition to these new constructions, the high
proportion of semi-permanent and improvised houses in the
housing stock is evidence of the importance of upgrading these
houses, and relocating and upgrading the shanties, which
are estimated at 150,000 in all urban centres, and which is another
area requiring urgent attention.
The policy of the Government towards the housing sector is to meet
the demand for new housing particularly in the urban
centres and upgrading the sub-standard housing stock. The main
thrust of the housing strategy was to promote self-help
initiatives and mobilize the initiatives of the private sector.
The public sector housing programme was directed towards
extending assistance to low-income families to build new houses
based on the enabling approach and introducing special
housing projects to relocate slum and shanty dwellers. The
National Housing Development Authority (NHDA)
implemented a number of public sector housing programmes such as
the Jana Udana Programme, Sevana Housing Grant
Programme, Urban & Rural Housing Programme, the Estate Housing
Programme, Direct Construction Programmes,
Disaster Housing Programmes, et. al.
In order to strengthen private sector housing development
activities, the housing finance system was upgraded. In the
context of limited availability of funds, it was necessary to
promote private sector programmes by providing infrastructure
and incentives. Initial action has been taken to elevate the
Housing Development Finance Cooperation into a fulfledged
financial institution with legal powers to deal in the capital
market with a view to generating resources for the housing
sector. Improved technical know-how and increased availability of
housing material at reasonable cost were requirements
to facilitate private sector housing. In addition to the loans
provided by State agencies, the two State banks disbursed
housing loans throughout the country. The World Bank assisted the
construction industry's training project and the
Second Vocational Training Project helped in establishing the
Institute of Construction Training and Development
(ICTAD) which has helped in the provision of skills and focussed on
the selection and use of cost- effective technologies.
A Housing Finance Steering Committee was established consisting of
Government and private sector representatives to
coordinate housing finance policy at the national level.
The Government has clearly identified the urgency of improving the
country's environmental sanitation as a means of
improving the standard of living of the poorer segments of the
population. The NHDA implements the Urban Basic
Services Programme with the housing sector to improve the living
conditions of slum and shanty dwellers. Under this
programme, direct assistance is given to improve sanitation, waste
disposal and surface drainage. However, the resource
constraints limit the coverage of this programme.
Sri Lanka has been in the vanguard for achieving shelter for all,
particularly for the poor, and is committed to the
implementation of the national plan of action as well as the global
plan of action agreed to during Habitat II. The goal is
to achieve healthy, safe and more equitable and sustainable human
settlements. In this endeavour, the participatory efforts
of the NGOs and enhanced technical and financial support from the
international community are vital.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Sri Lanka, one of the original
signatories to the Vancouver Action Plan 1976, introduced a number
of approaches in its human settlements programme. The enabling
approach, the "self-help" housing programmes, the
"one million" housing programme, and the Sevena housing grant
programme, are among such new approaches to promote
human settlements. Sri Lanka initiated the UN resolution on
"Shelter for All by the Year 2000" to focus international
attention on human settlements.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No
information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Urban population in % of total population | |||
| Annual rate of growth of urban population (%) | |||
| Largest city population (in % of total population) | |||
| Other data | |||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 8: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING
The National Planning Department has introduced environmental
screening of new public investment projects. The need
to integrate environmental and developmental decision-making at the
project formulation stage itself has been recognized
as important for economically efficient, socially equitable and
responsible environmental management and sustainability of
the growth achieved. Therefore, analytical tools such as
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment
Protection Licensing (EPL) have been made use of. A Gazette
Notification under the National Environment Act makes it
obligatory for all prescribed projects to conduct an EIA which has
to be evaluated and assessed by the Central
Environment Authority (CEA) to give environmental clearance.
Appeals can be made to the Secretary, Ministry of
Forestry and Environment. An environment protection licence is
mandatory for all projects. The EIA reports are open
for public scrutiny. EPL has been decentralised to local
authorities.
The Inter-Agency Committees, consisting of representatives of
development Ministries and Enforcement Authorities, as
well as the private sector, formulate, review and revise EIA
activities, regulations and EIA policy.
To achieve the objective of participatory decision-making and the
integration of environment decision-making and
development decision-making, a mix of instruments including
legislation, regulation, fiscal incentives, voluntary
agreements, education, and awareness campaigns, are used.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Sri Lanka has consistently
followed policies and programmes for economic growth with equity
and
social welfare. The five-year investment plan targetted resources
for the achievement of these objectives. Poverty
alleviation programmes and the development of social infrastructure
were emphasized in these investment plans within
given resources. Environment protection, which is an integral part
of Sri Lankan culture, is reflected in the principles of
its governance. The constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka provides for the protection of the
environment by the Government and individuals. Legislative
enactments and State policy directives clearly show the
commitment of the Government to protect natural resources. The
growing trend towards popular participation in the
conservation and sustainable management of natural resources stems
from these constitutional and legislative provisions
and the cultural heritage. However, the UNCED process gave
direction and momentum to this process of environment
protection. A conscious effort is now made at the national and
provincial level to integrate environment concerns into the
development process. A National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) has
been developed to provide the environment
policy framework for development programmes and projects.
Decision-making has been made more participatory by
involving the stakeholders in society in drawing up the NEAP.
Decision-making in development and environment
management has not only been integrated through the NEAP, the
process has been decentralized by the devolution of
power to Provincial Councils. Environment is an unfolding subject
under the constitution and provincial environment
statutes are being developed within the framework of national
policies.
1. Decision-Making Structure (please also refer to the fact
sheet):
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 9: PROTECTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE
The Montreal Protocol and its Amendments
Montreal Protocol (1987) was ratified on 15 December 1989
London Amendment (1990) was ratified on 16 June 1993
Copenhagen Amendment (1992) was ratified in July 1997
The latest report to the Montreal Protocol Secretariat was
prepared in June 1997
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNFCCC was ratified on 23 November 1993
The latest report to the UNFCCC Secretariat has not yet been
submitted.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Environment
is the focal point for both Conventions. Interministerial
committees have been set up to consider relevant issues and make
recommendations. Important decisions need ratification
by the Cabinet Ministers.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Training
programmes for refrigerator technicians are planned in 1998.
Transfer of energy-saving technologies and low-emission thermal
power generation technologies are needed.
Undergraduate courses on renewable energy and energy efficiency are
planned under the GEF Project.
3. Major Groups: Government Ministries, Departments
Statutory Corporations, Universities and NGO groups, are
involved in implementing the Montreal Protocol and the UNFCCC.
4. Finance: Currently, the Government of Sri Lanka
provides a contribution in-kind for the two programmes.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: There was a
regional programme on the impact of climate change under
SAARC in 1992. Sri Lanka was also a participant in the Regional
Study on Global Environmental Issues, funded by the
Asian Development Bank in 1992-1993.
| Latest 199- | ||||
| CO2 emissions (eq. million tons) | ||||
| SOx " | ||||
| NOx " | ||||
| CH4 " | ||||
| Consumption of ozone depleting substances (Tons) | ||||
| Expenditure on air pollution abatement in US$ equivalents (million) | ||||
| Other data
| ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATED APPROACH TO
THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND
RESOURCES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: A Land-use Planning Unit has been
established in the Ministry of Lands with a view to planning
development in a sustainable manner and conserving natural
resources. This Unit identifies different types of soil for
agricultural purposes. There are coastal development laws in which
lands are identified for development projects, such as
the construction of hotels, taking into account the need to protect
the marine environment. The Development Authority
has undertaken a zoning exercise to decide on where to place
various development projects.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING
DEFORESTATION
The Government's efforts to arrest deforestation through the
enforcement of stringent laws, such as the Forestry
Ordinance and the Wild Life Conservation Act, have resulted in
limited success. A forestry sector Master Plan was
prepared and it was revised in 1993, with the aim to protect and
develop forest cover. A five-year implementation plan,
based on the Forestry Sector Master Plan, has been prepared with
the involvement of the private sector and NGOs. New
approaches to forestry management, such as with community
participation, are being adopted under the five-year plan for
forestry development. In the Plantation Sector, financial
assistance is provided for timber plantations. National tree
planting campaigns are carried out by the Ministry of Forestry and
Environment to increase the forest cover in urban areas
and to mobilize the energies of school children and youth in
promoting reforestation. Research into seeking alternatives to
timber use is promoted, but financial and technological constraints
limit these efforts to the minimum.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Deforestation is one of the
critical environmental problems in Sri Lanka. Forest cover which
stood
at 44% of the land area in 1956, declined to 27% by 1981, and the
present forest cover is estimated at approximately 23%
of the land area. This situation was brought about by both poverty
and affluence. Nearly 70% of the people are rural and
agriculture dependent. The rural poor destroy forests for
cultivation and to meet energy needs. The affluent and the
entrepreneurs use more and more timber without replacing the
forests. The development process also contributed to the
deforestation.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Forestry and
Environment lays down policy in consultation with the
Department of Forests. The Chief Conservator of Forests implements
the programmes. The Cabinet approves major
policies and investments on the recommendation of the Ministry.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The Department of
Forests trains officials in forestry management.
Technology for timber sawing needs to be improved to reduce
waste.
3. Major Groups: NGOs are involved in developing forestry
development plans. Youth and NGOs participate in tree-planting
campaigns. NGOs contributed in preparing the 5-year forestry
development programme which commenced in
1947 with ADB assistance. Environmental groups exercise vigilance
and assist law enforcement authorities in the
prevention of illicit logging.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: International
cooperation is needed to build capacity and transfer technology.
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Forest Area (Km2) | ||||
| Protected forest area | ||||
| Roundwood production (solid volume of roundwood without bark in mill m3) | ||||
| Deforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
| Reforestation rate (Km2/annum) | ||||
| Other data | ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 12: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AND
DROUGHT
International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries
Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification
Particularly in Africa
N/A.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: N/A.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: N/A.
3. Major Groups: N/A.
4. Finance: N/A.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: N/A.
| Latest 199_ | ||||
| Land affected by desertification (Km2) | ||||
| Other data | ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 13: MANAGING FRAGILE
ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 14: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The major goals of the Agriculture Sector are, inter alia,
to:
1. Increase the productivity of the land and farmers'
incomes in a sustainable manner;
2. Improve processing, marketing and storage;
3. Increase the productivity and efficiency of the
Plantation Sector;
4. Stabilize and reduce the cost of living;
5. Create an exportable surplus for balance-of-payment
support.
In order to achieve the above goals, a recently established
National Development Council has appointed a Task Force to
recommend policy changes to address issues such as agriculture
research, extension, marketing, pricing and the role of the
State in providing services and inputs and the role of the private
sector in providing inputs, and multiplication and
distribution of seeds.
To ensure the sustainability of agriculture, a number of measures
are being introduced to strengthen the capacity of
farmers, improve the marketing of agricultural products and to
popularize sustainable agricultural technology. A seed and
planting material policy was approved in 1996, with the aim of
establishing seed enterprises with the private sector. A
Cultivation Insurance Scheme and a Livestock Insurance Scheme are
being established to assist farmers in times of
drought and floods. Farmers' organizations have been established
to strengthen their bargaining power. By the end of
1996, a total of 12,934 farmers' organizations had been
established. In response to an FAO prediction of a food shortage,
the Ministry of Agriculture launched an island-wide food drive
called 'Vaga Lanka' which aims at combining modern and
traditional methods of agriculture. This involves agriculture and
adopting integrated farming techniques. The emphasis
placed on integrated pest management contributed to a reduction in
the use of pesticides in 1996.
During 1996, the Department of Agriculture conducted Farmer Field
Schools for integrated pest management (IPM) in 21
districts and 3 Mahaveli Systems; 800 field-level IPM
demonstrations have been conducted in selected areas. Rural credit
schemes have provided agricultural loans. A number of policy
measures are directed to give an impetus to agricultural
exports. Plantation Sector Reforms (privatization) are expected to
improve the productivity and efficiency of the Tree
Crop Sector.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: Agriculture continues to be an
important sector in the economy of Sri Lanka, contributing 20
percent of the GNP. Between 1991 and 1995, the agriculture sector
was able to absorb 89 percent of the public
investments per annum. The Government implemented large
irrigation projects, like the Mahaveli Programme, to
increase food production and employment opportunities for the rural
poor.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Agriculture
is responsible for policy decision making with the approval
of the Cabinet.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Farm machinery and
testing institutions have been set up by the Department
of Agriculture to assist farmers at the State Farms.
3. Major Groups: Farmers' organizations and Samurdhi
Animators focus on mobilizing the rural
poor to upgrade their skills and create employment
opportunities.
4. Finance: The agriculture credit policy is to provide
credit support for farmers.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Latest 199_ | ||||
| Agricultural land (Km2) | ||||
| Agricultural land as % of total land area | ||||
| Agricultural land per capita | ||||
| Latest 199_ | ||||
| Consumption of fertilizers per Km2 of agricultural land as of 1990 | ||||
| Other data
| ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 15: CONSERVATION OF
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Convention on Biological Diversity
Sri Lanka signed the Convention in June 1992 and ratified it in
March 1994.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora
Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in South Asia having a wealth
of biodiversity. Within a land area of 25,000
sq. miles, this rich biodiversity is distributed within a wide
range of eco-systems varying from rainforests to grasslands,
freshwater bodies, wetlands and rivers, and coastal and marine
eco-systems. An important feature of the climate is that
there are two basic eco-zones: a wet zone and a dry zone. Since
these two zones are not sharply distinct, there is also
what may be termed, an "intermediate" zone gradually merging into
the wet and the dry zones. These climatic conditions
and the panorama of natural eco-systems in the country support over
3,800 species of flowering plants, of which 23% are
endemic, 314 species of fern and derivatives of the fern family.
Species diversity is also high among mosses and fungi.
In addition, the country has a high faunal diversity. Available
information shows that Sri Lanka's biodiversity per unit of
land area is among the highest in South Asia. The diversity of the
country's biological resources has not yet been fully
surveyed. Conservation and sustainable use of these resources
based on the indigenous knowledge systems and practices
is ingrained in Sri Lanka's ethos and way of life.
Major legislative enactments on the biological resources of Sri
Lanka are the National Environmental Act 1980, Forest
Ordinance, The Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance, National
Heritage Wilderness Areas Act, Botanic Gardens
Ordinance, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, the Plant
Protection Ordinance, and the Customs Ordinance.
The concept of environmental protection is enshrined in the
country's constitution.
The preparation of the Biodiversity Action Plan was undertaken in
response to Article 6 of the Convention (CITES).
While consolidating the ongoing efforts of conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity, the Action Plan aims at
establishing a policy and programme regime, which brings national
action to various aspects of the subject, including
capacity-building and bio-safety measures, in tune with the
articles of the Convention.
The Government is to adopt this National Biodiversity Action Plan
for the conservation and sustainable use of these
resources in the near future. Wildlife preservation, in the form
of zoos and national farms, is used for the ex-situ
preservation of wildlife. Also, efforts are being made to
strengthen the legislative framework to derive maximum benefit
from biotechnology while minimizing its risks. The lack of
technology and technical capacity, as well as financial
constraints, have weakened the national efforts to protect
biodiversity.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of Forestry and Environment is responsible for policy-making with the approval of the Cabinet. A network of over 100 NGOs has been built up and biodiversity focal points have been established in development ministries and agencies to get environmental advocacy in formulating biodiversity policies.
The developed countries should ensure that benefits of biotechnology accrue to the country of origin of the biological resources; these benefits to include royalty payments and transfer of technologies to the countries of origin of the biological resources in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
It is also necessary to develop an internationally recognized regime for recognizing the property rights, both intellectual and physical, of the local communities. The capacities of biodiversity-rich countries should be built up to enable them to carry out bio-prospecting and undertake technology assessment for protection of their resources. The introduction of transgenic and alien species should be only with the requisite safeguards.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Attention is given to institution building including capacity-building, and developing bio-safety measures in keeping with the articles of the Convention. Sri Lanka is trying to build up a bio-technology information network and capacity in the area of taxonomy. The facilities for cryo-preservation of germ plasma in the country are very limited. The Plant Genetic Resource Centre at Peradeniya is the only institution with such facilities and only a fraction of the range of the agricultural germ plasma available in the country is stored at this centre. It is necessary to build capacities and develop programmes for gaining a better understanding of the different components of the country's biodiversity. The country's capacity in the area of taxonomy needs to be built up. The opportunities available for training in this area are limited.
3. Major Groups: School children and youth, as well as NGOs, are the targets of biodiversity awareness-creation programmes. "Young Zoologist" Clubs in schools encourage biodiversity education and conservation. The Ministry of Forestry and Environment provides assistance to a number of NGOs involved in biodiversity awareness-creation programmes for conservation.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: There is regional and national cooperation for technology transfer, capacity- building and for the exchange of information. The SAARC countries cooperate in identifying regional issues and taking regional and international measures for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. However, national action regarding conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and an equitable share of benefits, demands contributory action on the part of the international community, particularly the developed countries.
|
| Latest 199_ | |||
| Protected area as % of total land area | |||
| Latest 199_ | |||
| Number of threatened species | |||
| Other data | |||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 17: PROTECTION OF THE
OCEANS, ALL KINDS OF SEAS, INCLUDING ENCLOSED
AND SEMI-ENCLOSED SEAS, AND COASTAL AREAS AND THE PROTECTION,
RATIONAL USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR LIVING RESOURCES
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea - signed and
ratified in 1994.
The Government of Sri Lanka has various laws, rules, and
regulations for dealing with activities in the coastal zone. A
coastal zone management plan indicating various zones has been
prepared by the Ministry of Fisheries in order to adopt an
integrated approach to the management of coastal resources and to
involve local communities in the planning and
implementation of programmes for the conservation and sustainable
use of marine resources and the conservation of the
coastline.
Regulations have been developed to prevent over-fishing and the
coastal management plan provides for zones to conserve
marine species threatened by indiscriminate fishing and the use of
inappropriate fishing techniques. The policy on coastal
fishing has been oriented towards mitigating the adverse effects on
the environment and maximizing the protection of fish
in a sustainable manner. A national contingency plan to deal with
oil spills is also under consideration.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure:
The Department of Fisheries and Coast Conservation, under the
Ministry of Fisheries, is responsible for policy-making
and implementation. The major policy decisions are approved by the
Cabinet.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: See
"Status".
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Catches of marine species (metric tons) | ||||
| Population in coastal areas | ||||
| Population served by waste water treatment (% of
country's total population) | ||||
| Discharges of oil into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
| Releases of phosphate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
| Releases of nitrate into coastal waters (metric tons) | ||||
| Other data
| ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 18: PROTECTION OF THE
QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES:
APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES
The main supplier of drinking water for the urban centres, namely,
the National Water and Drainage Board,
has a strong programme to monitor the water quality of the Kelani
River, before releasing it for drinking
purposes.
The Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project is ongoing and
has improved the sanitation facilities and
raised awareness about the need for maintaining hygienic standards
in water supply.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: A Water Resources Council has
been established to plan the water resources at the macro
level. All related agencies are represented in the Council and an
integrated approach has been adopted for the
protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources. The
Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has
published water quality standards as well as standards for
industrial effluent that could be discharged into water
bodies. Other agencies, such as the Department of Irrigation and
the Department of Agrarian Services, have
been alerted to ensure quality water. The IFS has undertaken a
study on water pollution, including the sources
of such pollution. The Water Resources Board is most concerned
about the underground water supply and
studies are being undertaken to ascertain the volume of water
supplies.
1. Decision-Making Structure: The Water Resources Council
is a coordinating body which has no legal proponents.
Decisions are made by respective agencies and they follow a
hierarchial order.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: The water quality
monitoring capacity of related agencies is not adequate.
Simple technologies, like water testing kits which would be used by
school children, would be useful to promote a culture
of water quality monitoring.
3. Major Groups: Comprised of industrialists and domestic
users, different water charges have been introduced for
these two groups.
4. Finance: The National Water and Drainage Board is
seeking a foreign loan to tap the Kalu
Ganga River, approximately 40 km from Colombo, to augment the
Colombo Water supply.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Fresh water availability (total domestic/external in million m3) | ||||
| Annual withdrawal of freshwater as % of available water | ||||
| Other data | ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 19: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS, INCLUDING
PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN TOXIC AND DANGEROUS
PRODUCTS
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: The Central Environmental
Authority acts as the focal point for chemicals, under the prior
informed
consent procedure. A complete inventory of chemicals in use within
the country was completed. Relevant data on those
chemicals have been computerized and are available for risk
assessment purposes. The International Register of
Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) database on chemicals is also
to be installed.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTES,
INCLUDING PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN HAZARDOUS
WASTES
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
Basel Convention
Sri Lanka ratified the Basel Convention in August 1992. The
Ministry of Forestry and Environment is the focal point and
the Central Environment Authority is the competent authority for
this convention.
The regulations for the internal management of hazardous waste were
published in 1996, by the Ministry of Environment.
Regulations for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste are
being formulated and will be brought into operation
under the Import and Export Control Act.
Guidelines are being prepared for the safety measures to be adopted
during collection, transportation, storage, recovery,
recycling and disposal of hazardous wastes.
A project under World Bank funding was completed to establish an
inventory of hazardous waste, the current disposal
practices in Sri Lanka, and also to carry out a prefeasibility
study to identify and rank suitable hazardous waste disposal
sites. Arrangements are being made to prepare a National Action
Plan for Clinical Waste Management.
Additional comments relevant to this chapter
Efforts to Reduce Generation of Hazardous Waste
At present, waste minimization programs are being carried out for
selected industrial sectors. In addition to that, several
regulatory measures taken by the Government help indirectly to
reduce the pollution caused by high- and medium-
polluting industries.
Some of the significant regulatory measures are:
Environmental Protection Licensing Scheme
Environment Impact Assessment Scheme
Siting of industries in an industrial estate or park to ensure
proper waste disposal. Projects to relocate certain
hazardous industries, such as tanneries and pesticides, are
ongoing.
Some fiscal incentives are given to industries under certain
conditions to use advanced technology in order to minimize
and control pollution and other wastage. Training programs have
been arranged for the officers who are involved in
hazardous waste management.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
1. Decision-Making Structure: The National Co-ordinating
Committee for the implementation of the Basel
Convention, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Forestry and
Environment.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: Due to the high
cost of, and inadequate accessibility to, environmentally-
sound technology and the level of technical capacity to select,
maintain and use the proper technology, industries find it
difficult to comply with the hazardous waste regulations. The
capacity of the regulatory bodies are also inadequate to
ensure the effective implementation of the new hazardous waste
regulations.
3. Major Groups: The Ministry of Forestry and Environment;
Central Environmental Authority; Ministry of Shipping,
Ports, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction; Ministry of Trade,
Commerce and Food; Ministry of Planning Ethnic Affairs
and National Integration; Ministry of Labour and Vocational
Training; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Health and
Indigenous Medicine; Ministry of Science, Technology and Human
Resources Development; Ministry of Industrial
Development; Marine Pollution Prevention Authority; Federation of
Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Sri Lanka;
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Board of Investment of Sri Lanka;
Ceylon Fertilizer Corporation; Sri Lanka Ports
Authority; Pesticide Registration Office; Sri Lanka Customs;
Government Analyst Department; Ceylon Institute of
Scientific and Industrial Research; Import and Export Control
Department.
4. Finance: Sri Lanka lacks financial assistance for the
efficient implementation of the Basel Convention. Particularly,
financial assistance is essential to build the capacity of the
country for hazardous waste management, including
establishing hazardous waste disposal facilities.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Generation of hazardous waste (t) | ||||
| Import of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
| Export of hazardous wastes (t) | ||||
| Area of land contaminated by hazardous waste (km2) | ||||
| Expenditure on hazardous waste treatment (US$) | ||||
| Other data
| ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 21: ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTES AND SEWAGE-RELATED ISSUES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Generation of industrial and municipal waste (t) | ||||
| Waste disposed(Kg/capita) | ||||
| Expenditure on waste collection and treatment (US$) | ||||
| Waste recycling rates (%) | ||||
| Municipal waste disposal (Kg/capita) | ||||
| Waste reduction rates per unit of GDP (t/year) | ||||
| Other data | ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 22: SAFE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
1. Decision-Making Structure: No information.
2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: No information.
3. Major Groups: No information.
4. Finance: No information.
5. Regional/International Cooperation: No information.
| |
| Ch. 24: GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 24.a increasing the proportion of women decision makers. Sri Lanka signed the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, in July 1980, and ratified it in October 1981.
24.b assessing, reviewing, revising and implementing curricula and other educational material with a view to promoting dissemination of gender-relevant knowledge. Curricula and educational material
24.c and 24.d formulating and implementing policies, guidelines, strategies and plans for the achievement of equality in all aspects of society, including issuing a strategy by year 2000 to eliminate obstacles to full participation of women in sustainable development. Policies/strategies etc.
The Women's Bureau implements a number of programmes to improve the economic status of women by providing skills and assisting in self-employment schemes. Also, trade union activities are very significant in Sri Lanka. Women in Sri Lanka are acknowledged as being advantageously placed. Women were granted universal franchise in 1931. Extensive social welfare programmes, like free education, free health care and free food rations covering the entire population, were implemented by successive Governments. Since independence, in 1948, these policies paid dividends as may be seen from the high literary rates and life expectancy rates for women. As a result of these policies and the cultural heritage of recognizing women's rights, the gender disparities in Sri Lanka are insignificant. The world's first woman Prime Minister was from Sri Lanka. The constitution recognized gender equity. The legal system is supportive of women's rights and free legal assistance is available. A Charter for women has been approved by the Cabinet to ensure gender equity and freedom from sex discrimination. Its provision can be enforced in the courts of law. This Charter has embodied special provisions for protection against gender-based violence. A National Women's Committee, appointed by the President, continuously monitors the implementation of all provisions in the Charter.
24.e establishing mechanisms by 1995, to assess implementation and impact of development and environment policies and programmes on women
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
| |
| |
| Ch. 25: CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT. 25.a establishing processes that promote dialogue between the youth and government at all levels and mechanisms that permit youth access to information and opportunity to present their views on implementing Agenda 21.
Describe their role in the national process:
25.b reducing youth unemployment
25.c ensuring that by year 2000 more than 50% of youth -- gender balanced -- have access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
Raising the living standards and reducing poverty among all groups of people remain the main priorities of the Government. Peace and security are vital for achieving these objectives. While the quality of Sri Lanka's human capital has improved continuously over the last five decades, unemployment has become the major problem, particularly of youth, and now stands at 11.6 percent. Although there had been a decline in six vaccine-preventable diseases and the health status of children improved, the general health status of the country declined due to an increase in communicable diseases. In the context of existing resource constraints, meeting the ever increasing demand for both curative and preventive health care was a challenge to the Government. Special immunization programmes were implemented for the benefit of children. Improvement of the economic status of major groups is important for improvement of the education and health of these groups. The Government launched the Samurdhi Programme to promote self-employment, particularly among the youth in rural areas, to alleviate poverty by using their own strength. The Ministry of Social Services provides a variety of programmes to assist the destitute and vulnerable groups in society. The Public Assistance Programme alleviates distress among the sick, aged and those who are unable to work. The number who benefitted from this programme increased to 332,064, in 1996.
The disabled number 8% of the island's population. The community-based rehabilitation programme for the disabled is implemented in 55 Divisional Secretariat Divisions. This programme is limited, due to financial resources constraints. The Department of Probation and Child Care Services, the Children's Secretariat, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Women's Bureau are institutional arrangements for the welfare of these two major groups. The Department of Probation & Child Care (DPCC) and the Children's Secretariat implement a number of programmes to protect children from child abuse and prostitution and improve their nutrition and health status. NGOs which provide residential facilities for destitute children are provided financial assistance by the Government. The Children's Charter, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, was approved by the Cabinet in 1992, and the implementation of its provisions is monitored by a National Committee. A presidential Task Force was appointed recently to make recommendations to prevent child abuse and prostitution of children.
| |
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| Ch. 26: RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
26.a establishing a process to empower indigenous people and their communities -- through policies and legal instruments:
26.b strengthening arrangements for active participation in national policies
26.c involving indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes at the national and local level.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
The population of Sri Lanka consists of an indigenous group of people called 'Vanniye Attho' or Veddhas. The Government is promoting the development of 'Vanniye Attho' so that they are brought into the mainstream of development, while protecting their culture and tradition. The constitution provides equal rights and privileges to them. Sri Lanka believes that they should be provided food and nutrition, security, health coverage, education facilities and financial assistance, in keeping with their social and cultural conditions. A survey of a sanctuary for the Veddhas has been completed and the Cabinet of Ministers has appointed a National Committee to formulate and implement a National Programme of activities for the 'Vanniye Attho'. The grandson of the chief of the Vanniye Attho is a graduate of the University of Colombo. The future programmes of activities will be directed to meet their educational, health, nutritional and cultural needs.
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| Ch. 27: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 27.a developing mechanisms that allow NGOs to play their partnership role responsibly and effectively.
27.b reviewing formal procedures and mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making and implementation.
27.c promoting and allowing NGOs to participate in the conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation.
27.d establishing a mutually productive dialogue by 1995 at the national level between NGOs and governments.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
| |
| |
| Ch. 28: LOCAL AUTHORITIES' INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF
AGENDA 21.
28.a encouraging local authorities to implement and monitor programmes that aim to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making. Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
| |
Ch. 29: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND THEIR TRADE UNIONS.
29.a full participation of workers in implementation and evaluation of Agenda 21.
29.b (By year 2000, (a) promoting ratification of ILO conventions; (b) establishing bipartite and tripartite mechanism on safety, health and sustainable development; (c) increasing number of environmental collective agreements; (d) reducing occupational accidents and injuries; (e) increasing workers' education and training efforts. Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):No information.
| |
| 30: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY. | 30.a increasing the efficiency of resource use, including reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste per unit of economic output.
30.b encouraging the concept of stewardship in management and use of natural resources by entrepreneurs.
List any actions taken in this area:
30.c increasing number of enterprises that subscribe to and implement sustainable development policies.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page):
The Ministry of Forestry and Environment gives very high importance to developing a rapport with industry to promote cleaner technologies and pollution minimization programmes. Under a US-Aid funded project, the private sector industrialists are provided training and awareness programmes on pollution control and environmental standards, cleaner technologies and recycling of wastes. Under a UNDP project, a programme to demonstrate pollution minimization methods and the benefits of recycling wastes is being implemented very successfully. A forum for improving the dialogue between the Government agencies and the private sector for the promotion of sustainable development, known as the Lanka International Forum on Environmental and Sustainable Development (LIFE), has been established.
| ||
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| Ch. 31: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY. 31.a improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between s&t community and the general public. Scientific community has already established ways in which to address the general public and deal with sustainable development.
31.b developing, improving and promoting international acceptance of codes of practice and guidelines related to science and technology and its role in reconciling environment and development.
Brief comments on this chapter not already described in chapter 35 (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
| |
| Ch. 32: STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF
FARMERS. 32.a promoting and encouraging sustainable farming practices and technologies.
32.b developing a policy framework that provides incentives and motivation among farmers for sustainable and efficient farming practices.
32.c enhancing participation of organizations of farmers in design and implementation of sustainable development policies.
Brief comments on this chapter (maximum 100 words) (please, do not exceed this page): No information.
| |
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 33: FINANCIAL RESOURCES
AND MECHANISMS
Financial resources and mechanisms are also covered under each
sectoral chapter of Agenda 21 where
relevant. This summary highlights broader national financial
policies, domestic and external
(including ODA)
CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: No information.
NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: No information.
ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES: No
information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT: No information.
| ODA policy issues
|
| ODA funding provided or received (Total US$million) | ||||||
| Net flow of external capital from all sources as % of GDP | ||||||
| Other data | ||||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 34: TRANSFER OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND
CAPACITY-BUILDING
Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and
capacity-building is also covered under each sectoral
chapter of Agenda 21 where relevant. This summary highlights
broader national policies and actions relating to chapter
34.
MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL, REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
NETWORKS/SYSTEMS: No information.
| Describe any work being undertaken at the national or
local level regarding efforts to promote clean production
processes and/or the concepts of eco-efficiency. These processes
may include training, preferential financial
arrangements, information dissemination and changes in legal or
regulatory frameworks. No information.
Provide information on the adoption of environmental management systems. National reaction to environmental management system standards such as the ISO 14000 Series and others. Please note efforts made at the national level to promote their adoption and the creation of certification infrastructure in order to facilitate access to these standards to local industry. No information.
List and describe programs or work under way to facilitate the transfer of ESTs to small and medium sized enterprises. Please note efforts to facilitate access to financial resources and other transfer strategies. No information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 35: SCIENCE FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
No information.
STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG
TERM SCIENTIFIC
ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:
No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE,
RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES:
| Year | |||
| Number of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in research and experimental development | # 3,483 | 1985 | |
| Total expenditure for research and experimental development (US$eq.) | $ | 19-- | |
| Other data | |||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 36: PROMOTING EDUCATION,
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING
No information.
a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable
development
b) Increasing public awareness
c) Promoting training
ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:
No information.
FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:
No information.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT:
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Adult literacy rate (%) Male | ||||
| Adult literacy rate (%) Female | ||||
| % of primary school children reaching grade 5 (1986-97) | ||||
| Mean number of years of schooling | ||||
| % of GNP spent on education | ||||
| Females per 100 males in secondary school | ||||
| Women per 100 men in the labour force | ||||
| Other data a = 1981
| ||||
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 37: NATIONAL MECHANISMS
AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR CAPACITY-BUILDING IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES
National capacity building is also covered under sectoral
chapters.
Donors: You may wish to describe here how Agenda 21 has
influenced your ODA policies in this area.
Developing countries: You may wish to describe any new
national mechanisms for capacity building - and any changes
in technical cooperation.
NATIONAL PRIORITY:
STATUS REPORT ON NATIONAL ENDOGENOUS CAPACITY
BUILDING: No information.
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 38: INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
| Ch. 38: Brief summary of any particular UN
System response affecting this country/state: No
information.
|
AGENDA 21 CHAPTER 39: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
INSTRUMENTS AND MECHANISMS
| Ch. 39: International Legal Instruments are covered
under the relevant sectoral chapters. This is a listing of major
agreements/conventions (not already covered) entered into and
relevant to Agenda 21: No information.
|
| 2. | International cooperation and trade | |||||
| 3. | Combating poverty | |||||
| 4. | Changing consumption patterns | |||||
| 5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | |||||
| 6. | Human health | |||||
| 7. | Human settlements | |||||
| 8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | |||||
| 9. | Protection of the atmosphere | |||||
| 10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | |||||
| 11. | Combating deforestation | |||||
| 12. | Combating desertification and drought | |||||
| 13. | Sustainable mountain development | |||||
| 14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | |||||
| 15. | Conservation of biological diversity | |||||
| 16. | Biotechnology | |||||
| 17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | |||||
| 18. | Freshwater resources | |||||
| 19. | Toxic chemicals | |||||
| 20. | Hazardous wastes | |||||
| 21. | Solid wastes | |||||
| 22. | Radioactive wastes | |||||
| 24. | Women in sustainable development | |||||
| 25. | Children and youth | |||||
| 26. | Indigenous people | |||||
| 27. | Non-governmental organizations | |||||
| 28. | Local authorities | |||||
| 29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
| 30. | Business and industry | |||||
| 31. | Scientific and technological community | |||||
| 32. | Farmers | |||||
| 33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | |||||
| 34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | |||||
| 35. | Science for sustainable development | |||||
| 36. | Education, public awareness and training | |||||
| 37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | |||||
| 38. | International institutional arrangements | |||||
| 39. | International legal instruments | |||||
| 40. | Information for decision-making | |||||
| Latest 199- | ||||
| Number of telephones in use per 100 inhabitants | ||||
| Other data | ||||
Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
19 December 1997